FCD Fall 2019 Gameweek 6 Recap

Cesar Castillo vs FC Boulder Harpos. Photo: Ben Tarver

CPL Premier Division:

Premier vs Azteca 5280 (1-3)
•Recap: We lost 3-1 to Azteca yesterday. With some regulars out, we integrated several players and a lack of cohesion (and a skilled young Azteca team) saw them race of to a 3-0 halftime lead. We came out in the 2nd half with much more purpose and determination and were the better team for the final 45 minutes and scored one goal and had a couple of other close attempts for our efforts. The display in the final 45 gave us something to build on.

Colorado Super League:

United (BYE)
•Recap: N/A
•Goals: N/A
•MVP: N/A

CPL Elite Division:

U23 vs FC Inter Denver (1-1)
•Recap: With three very vital/critical matches left for us vs Lions, West, & Union Jerez Elite...any and all points are an absolute must for us to achieve one the most coveted of top 4 positions in the table and earn a playoff opportunity.
With that being said, yesterday was a test of tests for a very new and young 23's side. As a coaching staff, we've been incredibly hard on the boys throughout their training sessions, as the standard has not been up to snuff for a top-flight competitive FCD side. Knowing that we have the toughest part of our season still remaining, the theory has been to apply as much pressure as needed to harden them up for the higher level competitions that await them. We saw the results of this approach yesterday for sure. The boys got off to a flying start and it looked to be a very promising day for them indeed, when Captain Carlos Martinez laid a technically perfect 35+ yard killer diagonal pass on the ground to break two lines defense and find newly added Gray LaPiano, who very calmly and clinically put it away to put us up 1-0 within the first 10 minutes or so.

Then things got very very interesting as the referee, unfortunately, starting to take the bait of the very dramatic Inter players and calls were tilting heavily in their favor, unto which resulted in a two yellow card ejection from the match on Malek Asbusina, putting us a man down for the remaining 70+ minutes. We immediately adjusted to an overly compacted 4-4-1 to take any direct line to the goal away with much congestion, forcing them to try and play around us as opposed to through us, which is where they were having their success. The ultimately took another flop, that resulted in an unjust PK that they managed to put away to tie the match 1-1.

The second half was going exactly as we expected and the gameplan was beginning to work in our favor as we were playing out to feet and getting up the field and actually creating chances going forward. We were awarded a PK that Luis Ferros slotted beautifully, which the ref disallowed for an incredibly weak reason. Nonetheless we, unfortunately, missed the second chance from the line to give us the go-ahead goal. As the match progressed, we got on the back foot for a while causing some problems defensively and if it wasn't for our Man of the Match Hunter Watkins, we lose that match yesterday. With an impending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his hand, his sacrifice and shot-stopping ability, kept us in that match all the way to the final whistle. We ultimately had to default to a "knock it deep into the corners" to back them off of us, and get out that match with a much-valued point. Although, we managed to hit the bar, with another Luis Ferros blast that the ball landed on the line and bounced out, and we also missed a sitter with a typical funky Dove Valley bounce over Gerardo Tenorio's foot as he was sure to slot that one home!

Couldn't be prouder of the boys yesterday and how the regrouped, stayed organized, made the necessary tactical adjustments to keep them in the match, and just flat out showed a ton of heart and grit, playing hard for the team and representing the club in high fashion = A PERFORMANCE TO HANG THEIR HATS ON! #onwardsandupwards
•Goals: LaPiano
•MVP: Hunter Watkins

Masters vs Lions Inter FC (2-0)
•Recap: FC Denver Masters swept Lions Inter FC. In the first half Masters created some good opportunities but lacked that cutting edge inside of the box. A post was hit by Carlos after a nice turn in the box and there were several near misses from dead-ball situations. The backline wasn't troubled very much as all Lions hopes for a goal were pinned on a mistake by Masters or a lucky counter-attack. Nothing really materialized as Masters were organized in the back and not troubled very much. Kudos to Matt Burford, Ray Kerzner, Seamus O'toole, David Kirschling and Jason Bathrick for being solid in the back.
The second half is where things got interesting as Masters immediately began on the front foot. The overdue breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Ryan Moschel, playing with two torn Achilles, went nuts on his man and hit a great 40-yard ball back post to Derek Moore who headed past the keeper for the opening goal. Five minutes later off of a free kick Masters scouting coach Josh Rubenstein, headed the cross back post to an awaiting O'Toole who calmly passed the ball into the net with his thigh from 2 yards out.
There were some more goals out there but Lions Inter FC, got upset at a challenge. This caused a punch to be thrown which earned a red card. Then there was a weak head butt landed by Lions. Realizing this the Lions Inter Real FC coach literally took the ball and went home. The game was abandoned in the 65th minute with Masters up 2-0.
Kidding aside Masters have been dominant this season scoring 23 and conceding only 2. Promotion is the sole focus moving forward for this team. Well done for a bunch of guys on the wrong side of 30.
•Goals: Moore, O’Toole
•MVP: Moore who washed the jerseys before the game, set the lineup, scored the opening goal, brought Capri Suns for halftime and most importantly wrote the summary to the match.

CPL Over 30 Division:

Legends vs Denver City Lions (2-2)
•Recap: Overall, it was a back and forth game with both teams having their chances. Further, the game was fairly played with no cards, fights, diving, etc…actually, this was the most pleasant game of the season.
Lions held much of the possession in the opening 20 minutes of the game but didn’t have any clear attempts on goal. Legends missed a number of early chances, but Lions found the back of the net first from about 20 yards out and around the 25th minute. This being the first time for us being down this season, it came as a wake-up call and we organized quickly thereafter. We got a goal back from a counter-attack where Charlie was played in on through ball from Lio, who then pulled the ball back to Lio who finished upper 90 from the top of the 18. Legends should have finished on at least two more chances before the end of the half, but were unlucky and went into halftime tied 1-1.
The second half was more balanced in terms of possession, but Lions received a fortunate PK call around 60th minute that they converted and caused us to chase the game again. We stepped up the pressure and held the majority of procession in the Lions half for the balance of the game. In about the 70th minute, Justin finished a nice looping header over the keeper from a perfect cross from David (Meza). Legends pressed for the go-ahead goal, but it wasn’t our day — we hit a crossbar, missed a PK, and the Lions keeper came up with a few great saves to end the game in a 2-2 draw.
Legends go into the last week of the season with a 3 point cushion at the top of the table and play an unpredictable Rovers team.
•Goals: Lio, Justin
•MVP: Jeff Jordan

CPL Women’s League:

FC Denver vs Union Jerez: (10-1)
•Recap :FC Denver Ladies had a high scoring match this weekend against an under rostered Union Jerez. We understood that this match needed to be played organized and composed. Mental strength was key for us, and the scoreboard shows it!
Tori Slattery opened the floodgates first by scoring a beautiful rebounded ball initially shot by Alex Laniewski at minute 6. Jesse also put one behind the net at minute 10 from the top of the box after Frankie Cervantes intelligently passed the ball back to her. Minute 15 saw some more teamwork as Sara Schmidt crossed the ball to a well-positioned Alex Laniewski in the box making the score 4-0. The last 15 minutes included goals from Juliana Grover assisted by our determined goalkeeper, Marla Crum who hit the ball directly towards the striker. The last two goals included an own goal and a clean hit by Tori Slattery, assisted by Katie Marcheso.
The second half brought a little more of the same possession game and 1-2 passing from FC Denver. 33 seconds into the half Sara Schmidt attacked from the right side, crossed the ball to, again, an open Alex Laniewski who beautifully volleyed the ball in. Union Jerez scored their only goal a few minutes later for a 7-1 score 10 minutes into the second half.
Grover managed to score another two goals in response, one-off a shot by Jesse McKenna and another via assist by Tori Slattery. Slattery scored the 10th and final goal, assisted by Juliana Grover.
•Goals: Slattery (3), Jesse, Laniewski (2), Grover (3), Mckenna,
•MVP: Tori Slattery, not only did she begin and end the game with scoring a goal, but her tenacity for the ball was unmatched. Tori’s intensity in the midfield helped our FCD defense regroup and slow down progressions. Tori played with great confidence and contributes greatly all game.